Sheet or signature separating and feeding mechanisms



E. R. KAST Feb. 20, 1934.

SHEET OR SIGNATURE SEPARA'IING AND FEEDING MECHANISMS F iled Aug. 5,1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I: I III Feb. 20, 1934. E. R. K AsT 1,948,038

SHEET 0R SIGNATURE SEPARATING AND FEEDING MECHANISMS Filed Aug. 5, 19292 Sheets-Sheet 2 'L I I Gttornegs Patented F eb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE SHEET OR. SIGNATURE. SEPARATING AND FEEDING MECHANISMSApplication August 5, 1929. Serial No. 383,511

8 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet separating and feeding mechanism, andwhile capable of general use, is particularly adapted for separating andfeeding signatures to a machine for assembling '51 and stitching themtogether.

The principal object of the invention is to pro-.

vide a feeding device that does not require any adjustment of thegrippers, regardless of the thickness of the signature being fed, andwhether the signature is one of four pages or as high as fifty-fourpages.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism of thischaracter with improved feeding means wherein the sheet or signature isyieldably gripped to avoid damage to the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism of thischaracter with improved feed ing means whereby the sheet or signaturemay be readily seized Without shock to relatively movable parts thatgrip the sheet or signature.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism ofthis characterwith improved feeding means of the gripper type and embodying ayieldable block or anvil against which the gripper clamps the sheet orsignature while feeding it from the separating device.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved sheet orsignature feeding mechanism having a relatively small number of partscompactly arranged and operating in a highly efficient manner to grip,feed, and release the sheets or signature successively for delivery toasignature assembling and stitching machine or other instrumentality tobe fed.

These and other objects of the invention will appear as the followingdescription thereof proceeds, and in order to more clearly understandsaid invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings whichillustrate one embodiment of the inventive idea.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of amachine equipped with sheet or signature separating and feedingmechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation, with parts omitted, of themechanism shown in Fig. 1; V

' Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig.2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view of parts of the feedingmechanism shown separated for purposes of clearer illustration.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designatelike parts throughout the several views, the sheets or signatures 5 arestacked one above the other in a box, the bottom of which is formed by aseries of rollers 6 that are journaled in suitable bearings on bracketsone of which is indicated at 7. These brackets are bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the framework 8 or the, machine at the top thereof,and the front of said-box is formed by a plurality of vertical stops oneof which is indicated at 9. These stops are bolted or otherwise suitablysecured at 10 on a bracket 11 attached to the top of the framework 8 byany suitable fastening means.

Extending across the bottom of the box in spaced relation with the frontthereof, is a cross bar 12 and mounted between said cross bar and thefront stops 9 of the box, is a suction separator 13 that is connectedwith any suitable source of suction controlled by devices (not shown)for making and breaking the suction in said separator 15 atpredetermined intervals. The separator 13 is fixed on a rockshaftlijournaled in suitable bearings on the machine framework, saidrockshaft also having fixed thereon an arm 15 that is pivotallyconnected at 16 with an arm 1'']. The arm 17 is fixed on a rockshaft 18journaled in suitable bearings on the machine framework, the shaft 18also having fixed thereon an arm 19 that is pivotally connected at 20with one extremity of a link 21. The opposite extremity of said link 86is provided with a fork 22 that is engaged over a shaft 23 which extendslongitudinally of the machine and is journaled in suitable bearings onthe framework thereof.

This shaft 23 has fixed thereon, a gear 24 which meshes with a gear 25that is fixed on a shaft (not shown) driven from any suitable source ofpower. The gear 25 thus acts through the gear 24 to drive the shaft 23on which is fixed a cam 26. The cam 26 engages a roller 27 that isjournaled on the link 21. Continuous engagement of the cam 26 with theroller 2'7 is effected by a spring 28 which is mounted on a rod 29between a collar 30 thereon and an eyelet 31 secured to the framework ofthe machine. One end of the rod 29 is pivotally connected at 32 with thearm 19, and the opposite end of said rod extends freely through, and isguided by, the eyelet 31.

. It will appear from the foregoing that the suction separator 13,through the described connections therefor with the cam 26, is moved upand down by the latter to separate the bottom signature of the stackfrom those above it. As each signature is thus separated from the stack,it is gripped and fed therefrom for delivery to a sig- 110 natureassembling and stitching machine or other instrumentality to be fed. Thesignature gripping and feeding mechanism is preferably operated andconstructed as follows.

Disposed below each end of the signature holding box and insubstantially vertical alinement therewith, is a hanger 33 that extendstransversely of the machine and is bolted or otherwise suitably securedto the machine framework at the top thereof. Rigidly secured at 34, 34to the hanger 33, is a closed cam 35, in the groove 36 of which isengaged a roller 37. This roller 37 is journaled on the free end of anarm 38 that is fixed on a rockshaft 39. The rockshaft 39, in turn, isjournaled in suitable bearings on curved segmental sheet and grippersupports 40 that are keyed at 41 to the shaft 23 and rotate therewith(Figs. 1 and 3). These sheet and gripper sup ports are of irregularformation and hollowed out, as at 42, to reduce their weight. The sheetand gripper supports 40 preferably have substantially semi-circularsheet supporting surfaces 43 on which the sheets or signatures restwhile gripped and transferred by devices to be presently described.

Each of the support 40 carries a set of grippers and the sets ofgrippers on the several supports being constructed exactly alike, it isonly necessary to describe one set of the same. Fixed on the rockshaft39 is an arm 44 that is provided on the free end thereof with anarcuate-shaped rack 45. This rack 45 meshes with a segmental gear 46that is fixed on a rockshaft 47 journaled in suitable bearings on thesheet and gripper supports 40. Each set of grippers comprises a movableand preferably serrated jaw 48 and a yieldably mounted and preferablyserrated jaw or anvil 49 with which said movable jaw cooperates to gripthe sheet or signature therebetween regardless of its thickness. Themovable jaw 48 is retained by machine screws 50 in the slot 51 of aholder 52 that is fixed on the rockshaft 47 by machine screws 53. Theyieldable jaw or anvil 49 is mounted in an inclined pocket 54 (Fig. 3)formed at one end of the corresponding segmental support 40, said pocketbeing provided at each side thereof with a guide 55 slidably engagingthe yieldable jaw or anvil 49 and preventing displacement of the samelaterally from the pock- Slidably mounted in suitable openings 56 formedin the bottom of the pocket 54, are bolts 57, the heads 58 of whichextend into the openings 442 of the corresponding support 40. Thethreaded ends 59 of said bolts have threaded engagement with the wallsof suitable openings 60 formed in the jaw or anvil 49 and extending fromenlarged spring housings 61 through which the bolts 57 pass in spacedrelation with the walls thereof. These housings 61 open into the pocket54, and mounted on the bolts 5'7 between the bottom of said pocket andthe opposite ends of the housings 61, are coil springs 62.

The gripping face of each yieldable jaw or anvil 49 is inclined inwardlyfrom the curved sheet supporting surface of its corresponding support 40so that said gripping face is disposed in a plane which intersects thecircle of revolution of said surface indicated in full and dot and dashlines, Fig. 3 of the drawings. It will also appear, from Fig. 3 of thedrawings, that each jaw or gripper 48 moves toward and away from thecorresponding jaw or anvil 49, Within the circle of revolution of thecurved sheet supporting surface 43. This construction and arrangementenables the gripper to bev mounted close to the stack of sheets 0isignatures and the separating means, and enables the separating means toturn the edge of the lowermost sheet or signature between the opengrippers 48, 49 so that when said grippers are closed they withdraw saidsheet or signature from said stack.

When the separator 13 engages the bottom signature of the stack and islowered to separate the forward edge of said signature therefrom, thesignature gripping means just described rotates in the direction of thearrow (Fig. 3). the movable jaws 48 are opened by the cam 35, and theforward edge of the signature is turned between the jaws 48, 49 by theseparator 13. At the instant said jaws receive the forward edge of thesignature, suction in the separator 13 is broken, and the jaws 48 areclosed by the cam 35, thereby clamping the signature against theyieldably mounted jaws or anvils 49. In the continued rotation of thegripping mechanism, the signature is separated from the bottom ofthestack and rests on the curved surfaces 43 of the support 40. After thegrippers have rotated through approximately one-half of a revolution,they are opened, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, by the cam 35.The released signature is then deposited on a table 63 that is supportedon the framework 8 of the machine in an inclined position as clearlyshown in Fig. 1. This table is provided at intervals therealong withopenings 64 through which project rollers 65 that are journaled insuitable bearings on the framework of the machine. The rollers aredriven by suitable means including gears 66 fixed on the shaft 67 of therollers and meshing with gears 68 that are fixed on shafts 69 journaledin suitable bearings on the framework 8 of the machine. The signaturedeposited on the table 63 is thus fed down the same by the rollers 65 tothe signature assembling and stitching machine or other instrumentalityto be fed.

After the grippers 48 release the sheet or signature and the same isdeposited on the table 53, said grippers remain open until they travelto the separator 13 which, in the meantime, has been raised to engageanother signature at the bottom of the stack, and lowered to separatethe forward edge of said signature from those above the same and turnsaid edge between the grippers 48, 49. At this time, the jaws orgrippers 48 are closed by the cam 35 to engage the last named signatureand clamp it on the yieldable jaws or anvils 49. The clamped sheet orsignature is then carried around, as before described, to the pointwhere the grippers 48 are opened by the cam 35 and the signature isreleased and deposited on the table 63. The described operations of theseparator 13 and the jaws or grippers are repeated so that during theoperation of the machine, the sheets or signatures are successivelyseparated and fed from the stack in the signature box onto the deliverytable 63. The rollers 65 of said table act, as before described, to feedthe sheets or signatures successively to the signature assembling andstitching machine or other instrumentality to be fed.

It will appear from the foregoing, that the grippers require noadjustment, regardless of the thickness of the signature being fed, andthat the sheet or signature feeding mechanism embodying the presentinvention avoids the possibility of damage to the machine. Moreover, themounting of the yieldable jaws or anvils not only enables said jaws oranvils and the grippers to accommodate sheets or signatures of variousthicknesses, but at the same time insures a positive gripping orclamping of the sheets or signatures without danger of damage to ormutilation of the same.

While one embodiment of the inventive idea has been disclosed hereinwith more or less particularity, it is to be expressly understood thatthe invention is not limited to such embodiment, or otherwise than bythe terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In mechanism of the character described, a driven shaft, an elementfixed on said shaft to rotate therewith, a jaw or anvil yieldablymounted in inclined position in said element and having a gripping faceinclined inwardly from and disposed wholly within its circumferentialcircle of revolution, a gripper mounted on the element for movementwithin said circle toward and away from said jaw or anvil, and means foroperating said gripper during its rotation with the shaft and theelement fixed thereon.

2. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatable gripper supportprovided with an inclined pocket, a yieldable jaw or anvil mounted insaid pocket and having a gripping face inclined inwardly from thecircumferential circle of revolution of said support, a gripper joumaledon the support for swinging movement within said circle toward and awayfrom the inclined gripping face of said jaw or anvil, means for rotatingthe gripper support and the parts carried thereby, and means forswinging said gripper in opposite directions during rotation of the samewith the gripper support.

3. In mechanism of the character described, a rotary gripper support, aserrated jaw or anvil having a gripping face inclined inwardly from thecircumferential circle of revolution of the rotary gripper support, saidjaw or anvil being yieldably and slidably mounted in inclined positionin said gripper support to rotate therewith, a gripper mounted on thegripper support for movement within said circle toward and away from thegripping face of the jaw or anvil, and means for operating said gripperduring its rota' tion with said support.

4. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatable gripper support,a jaw or anvil yieldably mounted in inclined position within the grippersupport and having an inclined gripping face disposed wholly within thecircumferential circle of revolution of said support, a gripper mountedon the support for movement within said circle toward and away from thejaw or anvil, said jaw or anvil and the gripper being adapted to gripsheets or signatures varying in thickness without having to adjust saidelements, means for rotating the gripper support and parts carriedthereby, and means for operating said gripper during its rotation withsaid gripper support.

5. In mechanism of the character described, a rotating gripper supportprovided exteriorly with a curved sheet supporting surface, a jaw oranvil yieldably and slidably mounted in inclined position within saidsupport and having a gripping face inclined outwardly to said curvedsheet supporting surface from a point within its circle of revolution, agripper mounted on a part of said support within the circle ofrevolution of its curved sheet supporting surface, said gripper beingmovable toward and away from the inclined gripping face of said jaw oranvil and acting therewith to grip and release the bent edge of a sheetor signature transported and delivered by said mechanism, and means formoving the gripper as aforesaid during its rotation with the grippersupport.

6. In mechanism of the character described, a. gripper support providedinteriorly with an inclined pocket and exteriorly with a substantiallysemicircular sheet supporting surface terminating at one end adjacentthe outer extremity of the inclined pocket, means for rotating thesupport, a jaw or anvil yieldably mounted in inclined position in saidpocket and having a gripping face inclined from the curved sheetsupporting surface of said gripper support inwardly of its circle ofrevolution, a gripper mounted on the gripper support for movement towardand away from the jaw or anvil and within the circle of revolution ofsaid curved sheet supporting surface, and means for operating saidgripper during rotation of the same with said gripper support.

'7. In mechanism of the character described, a curved segmental sheetsupport, means for rotating the same, a jaw or anvil yieldably andslidably mounted. in inclined position within the curved segmental sheetsupport at one extremity thereof and having a gripping face inclinedfrom said extremity inwardly of the circle of revolution of the curvedsurface of said support, a gripper mounted on the sheet support formovement toward and away from the inclined gripping face of said jaw oranvil, and means for operating said gripper during rotation of the samewith said, jaw or anvil and the curved segmental sheet support.

8. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatably mounted curvedsegmental sheet support provided therein at one end thereof with aninclined pocket, means for rotating the curved segmental sheet support,a jaw or anvil yieldably mounted in inclined position in said pocket andprovided with a gripping face inclined from said end of the sheetsupport inwardly of the circle of revolution of its curved exteriorsurface, a notched block journaled on the sheet support adjacent the jawor anvil, a gripper secured in the notch of said block for movementthereby toward and away from the inclined gripping face of the jaw oranvil, and means for rocking the block and said gripper during rotationof the same with said jaw or anvil and said sheet support.

EDWARD R. KAST.

